* WHEN YOU STRIKE OUT four times in a game, that's called wearing the golden sombrero. So I guess three times would be the silver, five times would be called platinum. When you get called out of the game with no players on the bench, that's called wearing the dunce cap. Ryan Howard wore all those caps [Tuesday night].

* AS MUCH AS EVERYONE complains about Charlie Manuel, Ryan Howard may be the one to cost the Phillies the playoffs this year. To get kicked out of the 14th inning when there are no other position players available, over a called strike when you know you aren't going to win the argument, is plain ridiculous.

* MAJOR LEAGUE UMPIRES get worse everyday. You can't kick a player out of the game so easily when there aren't any position players on the bench. And by the way, that was a check swing.

STEELERS

* BILL COWHER SAID some players mature later than others in referring to [Ben] Rothelisberger problems. The same can be said for O.J. Simpson, who is 62, 63. I am tired of prima donna athletes who acknowledge their problems and appear remorseful when they're up for serious charges.

PENN STATE

* BOBBY BOWDEN WAS a great coach for a lot of years, but for the last 5-7 years during his coaching tenure he was average at best. Florida State will be a much better team without him, and the same can be said about Penn State. They would be a better team without Joe Paterno.

*****

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